Aaron Redmond hit 62 as New Zealand moved into a strong position on the fourth day of the first Test against Bangladesh.

Redmond hit an unbeaten 62 as the tourists moved onto 145 for two at stumps. The Black Caps require another 172 to win the match.

A solid opening partnership between Jamie How and Redmond saw the hosts race to 55 before the former was bowled for 36 by Abdur Razzak.

Redmond and Jesse Ryder moved the tourists onto 84 before tea, while opener Redmond completed his maiden Test fifty from 135 balls in the final session.

Ryder made a 101-ball 38 before he fell inside the day's closing overs, the third batsman run out after calling for a quick second that was never really on.

Earlier on Monday, Bangladesh were bowled out for 242 in their second innings shortly before lunch.

Mashrafe Mortaza made a useful 44 to establish a healthy lead and give the hosts real hope of taking the upper hand in the series.

The hosts resumed their second innings on 184 for eight - a lead of 258 runs - and the tail frustrated the tourists with a resilient performance with the bat.

Mortaza and Razzak, unbeaten on five and nought overnight respectively, were steady at the crease, as Kyle Mills and New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori tried to find the breakthrough.

The duo held firm until the 13th over of the day when Iain O'Brien took the wicket of Razzak (18) after coming into the attack in place of Mills.

Razzak edged the seamer to slip and Ross Taylor claimed the catch to end a 40-run partnership.

Number 11 batsman Shahadat Hossain joined Mortaza in the middle but dented New Zealand's hopes of a quick conclusion to the Bangladesh innings by occupying the crease.

Mortaza helped push the home side`s lead over 300 with some expansive stroke play before he was stumped six runs short of his half-century by Brendon McCullum off the bowling of Redmond.